Whilst completing the 2
year programmes of bird survey work required for the proposed Carcant
Extension and Cormaud Wind-farms, (see Carcant Wind-farm
Post-construction Bird Surveys), BCMESL is concurrently
preparing to undertake the commensurate Carcant
Extension and Cormaud Wind-farm Ornithological
Impact Assessments which may well be required subsequently.
These may ultimately be required as part of any EIA for the proposed
developments. All data generated by the field work is beings progressively
digitised to facilitate the processing and presenting of data. Similarly,
annotated bird species checklists are maintained and regularly updated
for both sites.
As described previously, BCMESL completed WeBS-based wintering
and CBC-based breeding bird surveys in and around Castle Stuart
Bay, on the Moray Firth, for Cornerstone Golf Development International
in 2005/2006. The findings of these surveys were described and discussed
in detail in two separate reports which were prepared by BCMESL.
Together these reports comprised a comprehensive ornithological
impact assessment which was submitted as part of the EIA which supported
the planning application for the Castle
Stuart Golf Resort.
Given the significance of the adjacent Longman and Castle Bays
SSSI, which is designated for salt-marsh and inter-tidal habitats
as well as its wintering population of waterfowl, and in turn comprises
part of the Inner Moray Firth SPA, and Ramsar site, which are similarly
classified for their population of over-wintering wildfowl and waders,
the impact assessment concentrated on developing measures which
successfully mitigated adverse impacts on this interest that might
be associated with both golf course construction and operation.
This involved close liaison with the statutory bodies, and in particular
SNH, including a series of on-site meetings to fine-tune the measures
proposed.
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